Hyacintenbos

Directions

Navigation system address: Monsterseweg 8b, The Hague (same parking as for the Ockenburgh). Once you’re there, follow the path to the left through the grass field towards the woods. Cross the river and, once you are facing the playground up the hill, cross the gated bridge to your left. The gate is the entrance to the ‘Hyacintenbos’.

Catering

Chalet Ockenburgh (Monsterseweg, 8b). But there are rumours it is about to close and service oscillates between appalling and outrageous.

Offleash area

On-leash only, and it gets checked quite a lot. Actually, you have to be careful how you get there, as, if you go through the field from the Chalet Ockenburgh, dogs are not allowed at all.

What is so special about it?

An absolute must-see in the spring when the hyacinths are in bloom.

Gorgeous forested landscape on hilly, sandy grounds. Do bring your camera and to take pictures of the sandy, meandering paths going through the gnarly trees, up one hill and down another. Truly stunning.

Depending on what time of day you go there, you will hear woodpeckers and owls. I ALWAYS hear them, so I can pretty much guarantee it.

It does not get too busy and you do not really see rubbish lying around like you do in so many parks in the area.

Watch out for

The gamekeeper! If you want to risk walking offleash with your dog, you really are playing dangerous games, as people report being fined in the Hyacintenbos a lot regularly.